Changes coming to Books by Mail: Starting in fall 2025, Books by Mail items will only be shipped to addresses in the contiguous United States 50 miles or further from campus. We will make exceptions for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Learn more.

Fisher restoration: Fisher Fine Arts Library is open and operating normally during ongoing exterior work. Find more details about this important restoration project.

Announcements and News

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SIMS Blog Posts

Read about manuscript discoveries, initiatives, and other interesting happenings from SIMS staff.

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About

Learn about SIMS, its founders, and its staff

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Teaching

Making use of our collections and expertise in person and remotely

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Event Series

Lectures, workshops, and symposia, virtual and in person

List

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  • Workshop
August 14, 2025

Coffee with a Codex: The Voynich Manuscript (Facsimile)

On August 14, Curator Dot Porter will bring out a facsimile of Beinecke Library MS 408, aka The Voynich Manuscript. This is a realistic facsimile that looks exactly like the real thing!

  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Online
Open to the Public
Photo of a manuscript page with gold letters shining in the light
  • Workshop
September 16, 2025

Reimagining Illumination: Illuminated Manuscripts

On Tuesday, September 16, Schoenberg Curator of Manuscripts Nick Herman will talk about the practice of illumination in premodern manuscripts, showing us a variety of manuscripts from Penn's collections.

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II (Room 623), Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 6th Floor
Open to the Public

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees